CHUKKI ERIBENNE'S penalty goal 10 minutes from full time denied the Martyrs their first home win of the season.

Only five minutes earlier Merthyr goalkeeper Neil Thomas had saved Eribenne's initial penalty attempt, but Bath referee Richard Palmer pointed the finger of blame directly at Thomas as he pushed James Taylor to concede a second penalty in the space of five frantic minutes.

The main threat posed by Havant came through midfield player Bobby Howe, who saw Thomas deflect his effort from 15 yards wide of the post in the early stages. However, the best effort of the first half once again saw Thomas make a fine near-post save from full-back Brett Poate.

A double substitution at half-time provided the impetus for the Martyrs that was missing before the break, but it was central defender Gary Thorne who made the breakthrough with a clinical finish from Danny Carter's corner. Richard French and Cortez Belle were both denied by Gareth Howells before Jason Price fouled James Taylor to concede the first penalty after 75 minutes.